Casey Kasem’s Final Countdown took place on the weekend of July 4, 2009. See video, photos and find out more about the end of the legendary radio host’s 39 years as host of America’s Top 40 and its spin-offs, America’s Top 20 and America’s Top 10.
Casey Kasem, 77, began the landmark series of programs on July 4, 1970. Known for his signature phrase, “keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars” on the program, he chose the same date, 39 years later, for the Casey Kasem final countdown show. In a statement, he said:
“Hosting various versions of my countdown program has kept me extremely busy, and I loved every minute of it. However, this decision will free up time I need to focus on myriad other projects.”
According to the LA Times, Casey Kaesem’s 1970s and 1980s American Top 40 countdown shows will continue to be distributed by syndicator Premiere Radio Networks.
Casey Kasem hosted AT 40 until 2004, when Ryan Seacrest took over as the program’s host. Kasem then became host of the spinoffs, American Top 20 and American Top 10. A longtime pop culture icon, Casey Kasem was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1992. He played himself in the 1980s movie Ghostsbusters. He has also long been the voice of Shaggy on the Scooby Doo cartoon series.
Read more and see a Casey Kasem biography here.
See more photos and watch classic video below in tribute of Casey Kasem’s final countdown.
Photos: David B Edwards/www.wenn.com
